Feature film
Knocknagow
Fred O'Donovan · 1918
Synopsis
In 1848, around the estate of Sir Garrett Butler, an absentee landlord, the village of Kilthubber and the hamlet of Knocknagow go about their loves, their work and their festivities. The estate agent, Pender, wants to drive out the tenant farmers to make room for pasture and has Mat Donovan, known as the Thrasher, accused of theft. The eviction of a family of labourers, the Brians, is shown in detail.
Context
The film was shot in June and July 1917 around Clonmel and Mullinahone by the Film Company of Ireland, founded in March 1916, from the novel by Charles Kickham; the director himself plays a part in it. It was released on 30 January 1918 at Magner's Theatre in Clonmel and reached Dublin, at the Empire Theatre, only on 22 April, before Great Britain and Boston. Shown in nine reels, it survives only in a copy one hour shorter, in which Cyril Cusack makes his screen debut.
Who it is for
A silent film two hours long, with many characters, which the Internet Archive makes freely available.
Prizes and reception
The first national and international success of Irish cinema, regarded as the most important silent film of the country.
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